Franklin, Edward C.

Edward Claus Franklin (April 14, 1928 – February 20, 1982) was a pioneering American immunologist and physician. He made major gains in the study of the aging process with contributions that led to the discovery of a group of abnormal protein aggregates known as amyloids, and played a key role in the fight against arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, diabetes, and cardiac arrhythmia. Franklin was a professor of medicine at the New York University School of Medicine, a member of the National Academy of Sciences, president of the American Society for Clinical Investigation, and director of Irvington House Institute. The New York Times called Franklin "an international authority on the human immune system". Franklin discovered heavy chain disease, one type of which is named after him (Franklin's disease). The Edward C. Franklin Award, which is given for achievements in immunology, has been established in his name.